Badum…

Badum…

Most of the researchers at Site-19 didn't even realize when their heartbeats began to quicken. Witnessing the destruction of a galaxy was far beyond normal comprehension. They didn't know whether to consider themselves lucky…

Or unfortunate.

But while their minds spiraled with thoughts, Void had already begun attacking once more.

And this time…

They finally saw it.

Elements gathered together as fire, water, light, darkness, and countless others fused into a massive orb nearly a light-year in size.

The moment it formed, the monitors began blinking violently, displaying the danger level and destructive capability of the attack.

But one question remained.

Would SCP-682 survive this?

The next moment…

The orb pulsed forward and collided with SCP-682.

Like before, they heard it roar in agony as its body twisted and convulsed violently.

From its head to the tip of its tail, it slowly but surely began falling apart.

At the same time, the galaxy around them formed a massive vacuum that drew in surrounding matter.

Then...

A shockwave appeared.

One that obliterated everything in its path.

And one by one, they watched an entire galaxy go dark.

[New Message: A galaxy has been destroyed]

The blinking notification appeared before them as everyone stood dumbfounded.

But it wasn't over.

It was as though Void and SCP-682 intended to completely shatter their understanding of reality.

Floating in space, apart from Osiris, who remained entirely unaffected by the destruction of the galaxy…

SCP-682 was still alive.

However, its body was rapidly shrinking as it adapted.

From a reptilian creature that walked on four limbs…

Into a humanoid reptilian entity.

Sharp claws and terrifying fangs emerged as a five-meter-tall creature was born.

SCP-682 had evolved once again.

It had now become a being capable of surviving galaxy-level destruction.

This was an important study for the Foundation.

The path of evolution SCP-682 was taking…

Was it similar to beings from outside their universe and multiverse?

Or was Osiris simply different?

But at the same time…

For Osiris, this was also a completely new experience.

Some beings did not follow the path of pure physical destruction or even the use of Laws.

Some entities weaker than Rank 1 already possessed concepts and rules.

The difference between such beings and Rank 5 or Rank 6 entities was simple.

Those weaker beings were still bound by the concepts or rules they possessed and could not exist beyond them.

But Rank 5 or Rank 6 beings…

Could control rules themselves and even higher forms of existence.

And SCP-682 seemed to be one of such entities.

Ordinarily, it should never have been able to grow strong enough to withstand Rank 1 destruction, much less survive it repeatedly.

But it could adapt.

As long as the level of damage or destruction did not completely surpass its threshold…

It would continue adapting, regenerating, and becoming stronger.

At first, it was merely a giant reptile whose body continuously grew larger and tougher.

But upon reaching Rank 2 levels of destruction, its form began changing.

For it, the most reasonable and efficient way to wield Rank 2 power and defend against Void's attacks…

Was to evolve into a humanoid form.

And so…

Following that evolutionary path, SCP-682 adapted and transformed into a humanoid reptilian creature.

Bang!

Dr. Elias and the others watched as space rippled and cracked apart while Void instantly closed the distance between himself and SCP-682.

A punch was thrown.

And for the very first time…

SCP-682 dodged.

Its tail lashed outward as Osiris stopped and pulled back.

But almost as if it had predicted his movement, SCP-682 delivered a kick directly toward the position Void had retreated to.

Everyone gulped.

Even Void paused briefly.

What was this level of adaptation?

After an overwhelmingly one-sided battle, SCP-682 had finally achieved a small victory.

Although it still could not physically touch Osiris, even Void had acknowledged the attack and reacted to it.

And yes…

Void was impressed.

While it might seem as though he was merely helping SCP-682 evolve, Void was actually studying something far more profound.

Something beyond even Rank 4 understanding.

There was a higher-level force at work here…

Something even beyond Origins themselves.

And that force was responsible for SCP-682's terrifying adaptation and regeneration.

Void resumed attacking as he and SCP-682 clashed repeatedly.

But this time, the one-sided beating had changed.

SCP-682 was now dodging some of Osiris's attacks and even landing attacks of its own.

Even if those attacks still stopped meters away from Void…

It was still a massive improvement.

Void indulged it as he displayed countless years of combat mastery.

Ironically…

The battle was improving Void as well.

After all, he was no longer fighting a creature using ordinary combat ability.

He was fighting a being that adapted to every combat style, movement, and method of attack he used.

It forced Void's combat mastery to rise to even greater heights.

And slowly…

Void began increasing his power once more.

From Early Rank 2…

To Low Rank 2…

Then Middle…

High…

And finally…

Peak Rank 2.

With every increase in power, galaxies were erased, planets annihilated, and entire sections of a universe hollowed out.

And once again…

After another violent clash…

Void pulled back from SCP-682.

"It's coming… an upgrade in destructive capability," Dr. Elias spoke, his body trembling slightly.

As Void and SCP-682 evolved through this exchange…

The Foundation was evolving as well.

Their methods of containment were improving rapidly, and with the other anomalies Void had already helped contain, many containment procedures had already been upgraded by at least one level, even if the research on them was still incomplete.

If another breach occurred now…

They would be able to contain the anomalies far quicker and more effectively than before.

At the same time, they were beginning to properly study space, time, and fragments of the Laws surrounding reality itself.

"You should be close, but I am still doubtful. Even with your improvements, there is still a massive leap ahead… and not just one, but two, just like before."

Void paused briefly.

"But these next two attacks… involve something called Laws."

"Basically, Laws are the fundamental principles upon which a universe is created," Osiris explained before suddenly pausing as he looked toward them through the massive glass.

Then

He appeared directly beside them.

Leaving SCP-682 behind to decide whether it truly wished to continue.

"If we stop here, it is already enough for SCP-682. And even if I can revive or recreate it, this Omniverse is strange. There is no true concept of high or low here. Everything is mixed together."

Void's eyes narrowed slightly.

"So even if SCP-682 is brought back, another entity or abstract anomaly may become attached to it. That is why I stopped…"

His gaze shifted slightly toward SCP-682 behind him.

"I wanted it to decide whether it wishes to continue."

Void's words were not only directed toward the Foundation…

But toward SCP-682 as well.

What Void had learned during this exchange was something he might otherwise have needed countless years to discover on his own.

He already knew it was important.

Although even he could not fully grasp just how important it truly was.

But his instincts told him one thing clearly.

This knowledge would give him a massive advantage over other Rank 4 beings.

"Now, with that said…" Void grinned slightly.

"I want to formally show you what Laws truly are…"

"And give you preliminary information about them."